Staircases can serve multiple functions in a home, residential building, or commercial building. Of course, most notably, staircases serve the purpose of providing a way to get from one floor of a building or space to another. However, staircases also offer an opportunity to embrace a particular artistic style, to open up a space, and to add a new visual element to the area.

Many people don’t realize that when it comes to staircases, there are actually several different types available. Depending on the size and shape of the space and the desired achievement of the installation of a stairway, a different type of staircase may be appropriate.

Below, you’ll find details about the most common types of staircases. Which one is right for your home or business?

Circular Staircase
Similar to the spiral staircase, the circular staircase typically curves on a set, continuous radius. However, this type of staircase is not traditionally situated around a pole. Circular staircases can at times have a very wide curve, which results in a grand appearance.

Elliptical Staircase
An elliptical staircase is wider in the center than at the top and bottom. The center - or the widest part of the stairway - is where the curve occurs. As a result, the steps at the top and bottom of the stairway are shorter than those in the middle. The length of the stairs increases until the center and then decreases.

Freestanding
Freestanding staircases have an appearance that could almost be described as “floating”. They are not attached to a wall on either side, and you can easily walk beneath them. Freestanding staircases are only attached to the structure at the bottom and top.

Freestanding staircases can be either straight or curved, making this a fairly versatile type of staircases.

Single-Open-Under
The single-open-under staircase is a staircase in which one side of the staircase is attached to the wall, with a straight open space beneath the staircase. So, shelving or other elements may be stored beneath the staircase, but you cannot walk through it, since there is a wall to one side.

Spiral
A spiral staircase is a staircase that embodies a spiral shape. This is accomplished by wrapping the stairs and railings around a central support pole. This pole typically goes from the stairs to the floor. Spiral staircases are particularly good for small spaces since they only take up a set amount of space around the pole from top to bottom.

Straight
Straight staircases have no curve and are rather comprised of stairs that run along straight lines. Therefore, all of the stairs in a straight staircase are the same width.

Straight staircases come in three forms:
Top to Bottom: A straight staircase that goes from one floor to the other
L-Shaped: There is a wall to one side of the staircase
T-Shaped: There are two outshoots at the top of the first set of stairs, allowing a user to either go left or right at the top